Assessing psychological capital: Construction and validation of the psychological capital inventory (PSI-16) using automated item selection
摘要
This article in the journal “Gruppe. Interaktion. Organisation. (GIO)” explores the construct of Psychological Capital (PsyCap) within the framework of Positive Organizational Behavior, focusing on its components—hope, self-efficacy, resilience, and optimism—and their impact on personal and organizational outcomes. Utilizing machine learning meta-heuristic techniques, the study developed the Psychological Capital Inventory (PSI-16) to address limitations in existing measures. Two samples (N = 297 and N = 272) were analyzed to construct and validate the PSI-16 and its nomological network, encompassing constructs like life satisfaction, gratitude, well-being, self-esteem, and perceived social support. Results indicated strong psychometric properties for PSI-16, with statistically significant positive correlations between PsyCap and life satisfaction, well-being, and adaptive personality traits, and negative correlations with psychological distress and perceived stress. The PSI-16 offers a robust tool for assessing PsyCap, enhancing theoretical understanding and practical applications in organizational and psychological contexts. Future research should further validate the PSI-16 across diverse cultures and settings.